Almond tree

ABSTRACT

An almond tree which is large, dense, vigorous, robust, and extremely bushy with a stocky trunk, spreading with slender branches, abundantly foliated with large, ovate, acutely pointed, glossy leaves darker green than average, blooms heavily with white, pink-centered flowers, and is a regular and very heavy producer of large, medium brown, well distributed nuts having a large, medium brown kernel.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Discovery

The present new and distinct variety of almond tree is embraced by Class30, Plants, of the United States Patent Office Manual of Classification.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existent varieties of almond tree which are known to me, andmentioned herein, are Nonpareil and Mission (both unpatented) and Merced(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,730).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

While the origin of the present variety of almond tree is unknown, itwas discovered by me--as a probable mutation and growing as anindividually distinct tree--in my orchard of almond trees located nearDenair, Stanislaus County, Calif.; such orchard including Nonpareil,Mission, and Merced almond trees.

My attention was particularly attracted to such individually distincttree by reason of its extremely bushy tree form, the retention in fullgreen color of the leaves substantially beyond the reasonable durationof other varieties, and by a substantially heavier crop of nuts thanborne by the Nonpareil. Upon discovery of such individually distincttree, and in view of its apparent commercial value, I determined toeffect asexual reproduction of the variety.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of almond tree was asexually reproduced, on mybehalf and by a commercial nursery, by grafting and budding, and suchasexual reproductions--in maturity--ran true to the original tree in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The herein-claimed variety of almond tree is large, dense, vigorous,robust, and extremely bushy with a stocky trunk, spreading with slenderbranches, abundantly foliated with large, ovate, acutely pointed, glossyleaves darker green than average, blooms heavily with white,pink-centered flowers, and is a regular and very heavy producer oflarge, medium brown, well distributed nuts having a large, medium brownkernel.

The herein-claimed variety of almond tree is further characterized--inaddition to time-extended color retention of the leaves--by leaves whichare larger, darker green, and more glossy than is average for existingalmond varieties; the leaves effectively withstanding insects andresisting diseases normal to other varieties of almond trees.

The herein-claimed variety of almond tree is still further characterizedby the bearing of nuts which--while generally similar to theNonpareil--are borne regularly in a heavier crop; the kernels beingslightly lighter in color and of larger size than the Nonpareil. "Blank"nuts and "gummy" nuts have not been observed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of a twig with leaves, and, separately, nuts out of hull, and kernelsout of shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of almondtree--with color definitions (except those in common color terms)referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color--are as follows:

Tree:

Density.--Dense.

Size.--Large.

Vigor.-- Vigorous.

Form.--Extremely bushy.

Trunk:

Form.--Stocky.

Texture.--Medium.

Branches:

Form.--Slender.

Texture.--Smooth.

Branching habit.--Spreading.

Color.--New wood -- Green. Mature wood -- Gray.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Abundant.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 4", average width -- 11/4.

Shape.--Ovate, Acutely pointed.

Thickness.--Thin.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Finely serrate.

Petiole.--Long, medium thickness.

Color.--Top side -- Cress green (22-K-6), under side -- Slightly darkergreen (22-L-7).

Bloom:

Amount of bloom.--Heavy.

Color.--White, pink-centered.

Blooming period.--February 20--first week of March, medium, as comparedto other varieties, same as Nonpareil.

Crop:

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Productivity.--Very heavy.

Distribution of nuts on tree.--Well distributed.

Harvest period.--September -- same as Nonpareil.

Tenacity.--Easy to harvest, Easy to hull.

Hull:

Outer surface.--Smooth.

Form.--Regular.

Thickness.--Thick.

Flesh.--Fleshy.

Suture.--Ridged.

Color.--Dark green with silvery sheen.

Dehiscence.--Opens freely.

Splitting.--Along suture.

Nut:

Size.--Large, Average length -- 11/4". Average width (including wing) --7/8". Average thickness -- 1/2".

Form.--Width/Thickness -- Plump.

Shell.--Paper. Outer shell -- Crumbly. Inner shell -- Soft, poorlysealed.

Color.--Macaroon brown (12-H-7).

pits.--Small, few, round.

Base.--Dorsally oblique.

Stem scar.--Small, acute.

Apex.--Acute, prolonged at tip.

Wing.--Narrow, thin, tapered toward base.

Inner surface.--Dark colored.

Ventral streak.--Dark, narrow, long, point acute.

Percentage of kernel to nut.--65%-70%.

Kernel:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 1". Average width -- 1/2". Averagethickness -- 5/16". Average weight -- 1 gram.

Form.--Length/Width -- Elongated, wedge. Width/Thickness -- Plump.

Base.--Square.

Stem scar.--Small, acute.

Apex.--Acute, sharp, blunt, tip recurved.

Texture.--Smooth.

Pellicle.--Thin.

Pubescence.--Veined.

Color.--Centennial brown (13-K-8).

number of doubles.--None.

Defective kernels.--None.

Flavor.--Sweet.

Quality.--Very good.

Resistance to insects and diseases: Resistant to almond mite, shot-holefungus, red spider, and brown rot. No unusual susceptibilities noted.

The almond tree and its nuts herein described may vary in slight detaildue to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may begrown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of California.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree, substantially asillustrated and described, particularly characterized by a tree which isvigorous, robust, and extremely bushy; by time-retention of green leafcolor--darker than average--beyond normal expectancy, and--in comparisonto the Nonpareil--by heavier crops of nuts whose kernels are slightlylighter in color and of larger size.